Marcy Playground

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Marcy Playground's John Wozniak was one of those kids who, like Charlie Brown, got a bag of rocks for Halloween instead of candy. Fortunately, Wozniak used his childhood ostracism as the inspiration and fuel to write charmingly quirky pop songs. Wozniak woos the listener with his smooth, low-key vocals and lighthearted delivery of weighty, somewhat twisted, and darkly humorous songs. "Poppies" gives a cheery history lesson on the origins of the international opium trade, while "Elvinkind" and "Dog and His Master," with its chorus of "One little, two little, three little idiots," could become new, if slightly warped, children's standards. And then there's the country feel of the chartbuster, "Sex & Candy," with the sing-along refrain "I smell sex and candy here." One of the qualities of an exceptional band is the ability to tell a story through their music; something that Marcy Playground succeed at beautifully. --Gail Worley --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Average customer rating:

Chill, dude. (Try not to freeze, though...)

Light-hearted Melancholia

Marcy Playground

not bad

Great Debut

Marcy Playground
Marcy Playground
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Post Grunge | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000002UHE
Release Date: 1997-02-25

Tracks:

Poppies
Sex And Candy
Ancient Walls Of Flowers
Saint Joe On The School Bus
A Cloak Of Elvenkind
Sherry Fraser
Gone Crazy
Opium
One More Suicide
Dog And His Master
The Shadow Of Seattle
The Vampires Of New York

Amazon.com

Marcy Playground's John Wozniak was one of those kids who, like Charlie Brown, got a bag of rocks for Halloween instead of candy. Fortunately, Wozniak used his childhood ostracism as the inspiration and fuel to write charmingly quirky pop songs. Wozniak woos the listener with his smooth, low-key vocals and lighthearted delivery of weighty, somewhat twisted, and darkly humorous songs. "Poppies" gives a cheery history lesson on the origins of the international opium trade, while "Elvinkind" and "Dog and His Master," with its chorus of "One little, two little, three little idiots," could become new, if slightly warped, children's standards. And then there's the country feel of the chartbuster, "Sex & Candy," with the sing-along refrain "I smell sex and candy here." One of the qualities of an exceptional band is the ability to tell a story through their music; something that Marcy Playground succeed at beautifully. --Gail Worley

Customer Reviews:

Chill, dude. (Try not to freeze, though...).......2007-07-05

Not much to say about this one, really. It's mellow, downtempo, easy listening, calm, smooth...does "stoner" qualify? (Hey, the star track is "Sex And Candy"; I think that's a legit question.) The problem is that downtempo needs to have something to it to be good. It can be sweet and poignant (Jack Johnson), etherally beautiful (Loreena McKennitt), heartful and upbeat (Counting Crows), or edgy (Toad The Wet Sprocket). Marcy Playground, both the band and the self-title album are...just there, unfortunately. No big hook, nothing that stands out. If you're into smooth, easy listening, you'll love this. Not a whole lot to recommend/trash otherwise.

Light-hearted Melancholia.......2007-02-16

This band embodies what I like about Post Grunge music. It takes heavy emotion and delivers it in a light-hearted melody, yet still embodies a certain Grunge influence. It's like Grunge on Prozac.
It's a laid back band, so if you're looking for something hard and heavy, I won't suggest this. It's best to listen to when just lounging around or maybe going for a relaxing drive.

Marcy Playground.......2007-01-13

I really only purchased this CD because I liked the song "Sex and Candy". To my surprise there were some other songs on the CD that were pretty good. On the other hand, there were some other songs that were not that great and that is why my rating stands at the median.

not bad.......2006-12-30

I just bought this album and its growing on me with every listen. If you're into hard rockers, avoid this. Its a mellow album with some strange songs on it. Opium is a nice cut :D

Great Debut.......2005-12-28

Marcy Playground one of many bands that came out during the grunge era.Though they don't have the heavy pounding guitar or the crazy screaching.Trading in all the grunge trade marks for a softer touch and much deeper vocals."Poppies" a wonderful opening track and not a total slowdown song.After progressing through "Sex And Candy" and "Ancient Walls Of Flowers" the tracks to begin to fall short of the melody.Soon the tracks become lost in a state of mellowness in wich it's just way to light htat you almost don't realize what track your on.(Or if it's still playing for that matter)

If you pay close attention the songs are pretty detailed and the lyrics and acoustic mix very well for every song.The tracks do sadly drag on, but if you really just listen they are for the most part good.The standards of the first three tracks were set to high for a band that later achieved not much more then a few applauds for 1 track.
I enjoyed the enitre album enough that i think everyone should listen to it atleast a few times.

Average customer rating:

Hypnotic and Just as Brilliant as their first Release
a very fine record
Mostly Uninspired
Good All The Way Through
BETTER THAN ITS PREDECESSOR! GREAT CD!

Shapeshifter
Marcy Playground
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Post Grunge | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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MP3
Marcy Playground
Marcy Playground, MP3
See the Sun
Feeling Strangely Fine

ASIN: B0000296VE
Release Date: 1999-11-02

Tracks:

It's Saturday
America
Bye Bye
All The Lights Went Out
Secret Squirrel
Wave Motion Gun
Rebel Sodville
Sunday Mail
Pigeon Farm
Never
Love Bug
Our Generation

Customer Reviews:

Hypnotic and Just as Brilliant as their first Release.......2006-12-21

Great album! Not one bad track. "Sunday Mail" and "Pigeon Farm Boy" rank up there with the greatest songs of the 1990s. If you liked the first album, you will not be let down by this spectacular release. A very underrated effort.

a very fine record.......2004-04-02

i am a very big(as in i love this band, not as in i am fat) fan of Marcy Playground. I'm not sure whether i like this one or the first album better. it depends on your mood. the first one is about 75% acoustic, so if better for late at night or when you're sleepy or something like that. this one is about 75% electric, so it's better for cleaning your house or something. i think the best songs on here are "It's Saturday", "All the lights went out"(a rare MP love song), "Wave Motion Gun"(my favorite), "Rebel Sodville" and "Pigeon Farm". so, basicly if you liked the first one, chances are you're gonna like this one. so i say buy it.

Mostly Uninspired.......2003-07-23

Following their delicious debut cd, John Wozniak and co. soared into parvenu status in the pop world, riding on their hit single Sex & Candy. Marcy Playground had a pretty good chance to increase their fan base and really blossom into one of the great alternative bands of the mid 90s. Sadly, this album is an average, retrograde cd that is certainly not as good as the band's debut. Some promising glimmers of light shine through on Wave Motion Gun and Pigeon Farm, but the album is clearly lacking in the ebullience and cohesiveness that abounded in the bands previous outing. True afficionados of MP's first cd might want to check this out for the few good tracks on here, but for anyone being introduced to Marcy Playground for the first time, check out their debut.

Good All The Way Through.......2003-04-05

You probably know Marcy Playground as the band that sings "Sex & Candy". Well they aren't a one hit wonder. Their simple melodic music can create moods between moods. If you can't decipher the lyrics you can still soak in the warm guitar strums and versatile tempos. Marcy Playground themselves may not even know how good they are. Less is MORE and you will get MORE for your money when you buy this CD. After you listen to it all the way through a few times you buy the self titled first CD and cross your fingers for the next one.

BETTER THAN ITS PREDECESSOR! GREAT CD!.......2002-12-23

This CD is awesome!!! It is definitely more distorted electric guitar than the first record and less acoustic stuff than the other album. Some good tracks are: "It's Saturday", "Pigeon Farm" and my favorite is "Never" This CD is harder than the first one which in my opinion makes it alot better... it hasnt left my CD player. ITS AWESOME!

Average customer rating:

Second chance

Marcy Playground, MP3

Manufacturer: Reality Entertainment
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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Zeitgeist

ASIN: B000NDETFG
Release Date: 2007-01-26

Tracks:

Spoonfed
Blood In Alphabet Soup
No Ones Boy
Hotter Than The Sun
Rock And Roll Heroes
Jesse Went To War
Flag And Finger
Deadly Handsome Man
Punk Rock Superstar
Paper Dolls
Death Of A Cheerleader
Brand New Day
Sleepy Eyes
Barfly

Customer Reviews:

Second chance.......2007-06-14

MP3 arrived a couple of hours ago and has few disappointments.

I first heard Marcy Playground's Sex and Candy a couple of years ago and was instantly intrigued. (Not a fan of commercial radio, I missed this late-90s mega-hit). Later, I ran across St. Joe on the School Bus, also several years past its release. I liked Wozniak's voice, his lyrics, and the general sound of his music, which I would describe as light rock or adult alternative. Based on these experiences, I decided to order the reissue of MP3, which was first released in 2004.

I cannot say why this group is still described as "one hit wonders." Their music is infectious and most of their lyrics are outstanding. Brand New Day offers straightforward advice on surviving those problems that cannot be solved. Blood in Alphabet Soup, Deadly Handsome Man and Punk Rock Superstar are all humorous and musically appealing. Spoonfed, No Ones Boy and Sleepy Eyes all have worthwhile messages. I keep getting lost in the bluesy Barfly and still haven't heard the lyrics...

If you missed out on this cd the first time around, I recommend buying it.

Average customer rating:

MP3 ROCKS!
Lame. Trite. Unoriginal. Cliched. But Alphabet Soup was good.
Something's missing...
No grammy award here, but then again, they're no beyonce.
They are truly diamonds in the rough

MP3
Marcy Playground
Manufacturer: Reality Ent.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Post Grunge | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0001L3LPY
Release Date: 2004-03-23

Tracks:

Spoonfed
Blood In Alphabet Soup
No Ones Boy
Hotter Than The Sun
Rock And Roll Heroes
Jesse Went To Way
Flag And Finger
Deadly Handsome Man
Punk Rock Superstar
Paper Dolls
Death Of A Cheerleader
Brand New Day
Sleepy Eyes
Barfly

Amazon.com

A half-decade after their pair of late 90's major label albums suffered an all too familiar fate (promising debut; sophomore jinx) singer/songwriter Steve Wozniak and Marcy Playground have mounted a game, indie comeback attempt here. But it's also an ironic one that largely fulfills the band's original post-grunge pop promise, albeit a bit after that parade has past. During an era when many a modern rock band have made sharp U-turns into the 80's (or in some cases, the 70's) for their inspirational jangle 'n' crunch, Wozniak and company (original MP bassist Dylan Keefe, new drummer Gonzalo Martinez) have stubbornly refined and focused their original sound on standouts like the Nirvana-channeling "Blood in Alphabet Soup" and "Sleepy Eyes," "Hotter Than the Sun's" cautionary, autobiographical musings and the thrash-pop irony of "Punk Rock Superstar." Woz's droll, expressive vocals reflect a lost innocence that's bittersweet and all too familiar, wed to a musical sense that's stubbornly true to itself, third wave of de rigeur garage rock wannabes be damned. -- Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

MP3 ROCKS!.......2006-02-14

MP3 is my first Marcy album. The album is creative, poetic and grooooooves!!!! I have sinced listened to the previous albums and they are quite different. Maybe Marcy grew up a little more in this one??

Lame. Trite. Unoriginal. Cliched. But Alphabet Soup was good........2005-08-10

Being a longtime fan, and after waiting for 5 years for this album to come out, I was expecting something good, not as great as the first two albums, but good. MP3, as a whole, stinks. This nowere near as good as the 1st 2 albums, and it isnt even that good when compared to other music besides previous marcy playground CDs. Summary:

1.Spoonfed
Annoying and stupid. "Spoonfed mush and jam / Spoonfed peas and ham" ??? How retarded is that? These lyrics are terrble and dont say anything.

2.Blood in the Alphabet Soup
Good song. This is why I gave this 2 stars instead of just 1.

3.No One's Boy.
Stupid and annoying. How many good songs talk about wet dreams and jerking off, anyway? Not many, that's how many.

4.I cant remember the name of this one
This one is stupid, too. It has a nice beat, but the whole rock-god thing is dumb. THis band had 1 hit and they think they're all that.

5.Rock n Roll Heroes
This is the worst song on the whole album cause its annoying. Dumb lyrics, annoying, and its sounds like something that a 13 year old grrl would like.

6.Jesse Went to War
Touchy-feely rubbish. Get over it, man.

7.Flag and Finger
Another song that is almost good but not really cause its annoying. Whats with the "shove it where the sun dont shine" lyrics? Is that not the cheesiest stupidest lyrics in the world? I think so.

8.Deadly Handsome Man
More stupid lyrics. "Deadly, bruce lee, deadly handsome man" ? This reminds me of when Barenaked LAdies sang the song One Week and talked about Aqua Man. LAME.

9.Punk Rock Suptertar
I like this song.

10.Paper Dolls
This is lame cause they put 3 up-tempo songs in a row. Good energy, but childish and boring.

11.Death of a Chearleader
This is dumb and overly emotional. The violins are lame. Does Wozniak (it's JOHN not STEVe) he's gone all green day ala time of your life or somethin? Just dumb.

12.Brand New Day
Not bad, not great.

13.Sleepy Eyes
Boo hoo hoo your girlfriend left you. Need a hanky, ya baby? Rilly, though, havent we herd enough songs abot breakups?

14.Barfly
Ohhh isnt he cool he's a barfly guy or whatever. That joke at the end is messed up.

Something's missing..........2005-06-14

I love Marcy Playground, but even after multiple plays this album is not as good as their previous two. I don't know the make-up of the band enough to know if it is the departure of one of the original three members, or if they are just stuck in a rut (some of the songs almost seem like the same concept, like "Rock and Roll Hero", "Punk Rock Superstar", and other lyrics that make you think of High School). There are a couple great songs here, but also too much fluff that sounds forced in order to fill out an album. Maybe a trip back to Memphis is needed.

No grammy award here, but then again, they're no beyonce........2004-10-05

Some might say the music world has passed this trio by. Some might say that given the onslaught of the retro scene, Marcy Playground should have left the 90's rock image behind and invested in a synthesizer. Some might even say that with some of the hokey lyrics included herein, that it is impossible to take these guys seriously. I say to them....why? The 80's are back, no doubt about it, and in my opinion, more than welcome. The Strokes sound like the Cars. The Killers sound like Duran Duran. Franz Ferdinand Sounds like some mixture of every one-hit-wonder ever to be produced circa 1983. But should we limit ourselves? The fact is, good music is limitless. At the risk of sounding like every annoying "underground rock listener", you don't have to be beaten to death by radio play to be good. Nor do you have to be chained to the one song ("Sex and Candy") that was. From start to finish this album provides songs that are an excellent mix of sound songwriting and hard rocking melodies that make you want to pick up that proverbial air guitar and bellow out all of that suburban teenage angst many of us left behind. You wanna flip someone the bird and say I'll listen to whatever the hell I like (see "Flag and Finger")? Wanna hear one of the best rock n' roll songs no one will hear from the past year (see "Hotter Than the Sun")? Wanna sit in a smokey bar and hit on chicks (see "Barfly")? Most of all, do you still like good old fashioned rock n' roll straight out the U.S.A.? Buy the damn album...you won't regret it!

They are truly diamonds in the rough.......2004-10-01

There are precious few bands out there with such unique, amazing, highly developed style as Marcy Playground. This, their third album, has made me just as happy as their first and second (you could actually call it the fourth album, if you're a big enough fan to know about Zog Bogbean). The feel of their music is part joy and silliness, part aching sadness, part magic, and part insanity. It's 100% genuine. The guys are also some of the nicest people I have ever met, and any fan would be lucky to be able to say that about their favourite band, most of whom will not give their fans the time of day. Wozniak's lyricism is poetry in the same vein as Leonard Cohen or Dylan Thomas. Did you know that only 1% of all music that gets played on top 40 radio makes it there because of fan base demand? The rest is shuffled into the mix because record labels have contracts with the stations and must be given representation. Marcy Playground was part of that 1%. They honestly *deserve* to be listened to.

I have read the couple of negative reviews of this album and noticed that they share a common element: ignorance of the subject. Their sound was partially formed in the same town and time as Nirvana, which makes them the genuine article. They are not "ripping off" a sound. There were plenty of bands in the early 90's who had this sound, Nirvana did not make it up on their own. They just happened to be the ones who became famous for it. If you listen to Marcy's older stuff, you can hear the grunge sound there, too. It's part of who they are, musically. If their music doesn't send you flying, that's one thing. But don't scoff and claim that their ripping someone off when you don't really know what you're talking about. It's disrespectful and lazy.

Almost everyone I know who is into Marcy Playground counts them among their top 5 favourite bands, if not their all-time favourite. They're the best!

Average customer rating:

Sex & Candy
Marcy Playground
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Post Grunge | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | CD Singles | Pop | Styles | Music
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Shapeshifter

ASIN: B000006LA5
Release Date: 1998-03-24

Tracks:

Sex and Candy
Angel of the Forever Sleep
Memphis [#]

Average customer rating:

Rock Music That Changed Our Lives
Luscious jackson , Blondie , Iggy Pop , Pat Benatar , Meredith Brooks , Marcy Playground , Roxy Music , J. Geils Band , Stray Cats , and The Knack
Manufacturer: EMI
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000AMUT5O

Product Description

Rock Music That Changed Our Lives/// 1. Naked eye- Luscious jackson 2. One way or another- Blondie 3. Lust for life - Iggy Pop 4. Love is a battlefield - Pat Benatar 5. What would happen - Meredith Brooks 6. Sherry Fraser - Marcy Playground 7. More than this - Roxy Music 8. Centerfold - J. Geils Band 9. Rock this town - Stray Cats 10. My Sharona - The Knack 11. Faded- Ben Harper 12. Almost honest - Megadeth 13. White wedding - Billy Idol 14. Fake plastic trees - Radiohead

Average customer rating:

angelic pied piper
Wish they did more acoustic like this
Addictive & Soothing
This song surely... is a dream. Yeah.
It's a nice, dirty little song!!!

Sex & Candy (Phantom)
Marcy Playground
Manufacturer: Pid
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000006EFD
Release Date: 1998-04-21

Tracks:

Sex And Candy
The Angel Of The Forever Sleep
Memphis

Album Description

Single for their smash hit. It's backed with 'The Angel Of The Forever Sleep' and 'Memphis', both of which are non- album tracks. Deleted in the U.S. 1998 Capitol Records release. Slimline jewel case.

Album Details

No Additional Information Available at this Time.

Customer Reviews:

angelic pied piper.......2006-03-20

I always thought Sex and Candy was a great song...but knowing no other songs by Marcy Playground, I decided to test the waters...at first I wasn't really interested in the two 'other' songs on this CD...but then one day...boom...

The Angel of the Forever Sleep...omnipotent...a song for the rapture...a song for lost (as in gone to heaven) pets...so soothing, reassuring, gentle...John sings like an angelic pied piper...I would follow him just to hear that soothing gentle voice and hypnotic strum...

Memphis certainly captures a feeling...a rolling gentle ride around Memphis...I picture Woody Guthrie on a train...playing/singing country/blues...

Overall 3 great songs...very similar yet evoking very different emotions...strange but lovely...

Thanks John and co...

Wish they did more acoustic like this.......2005-09-22

If you need a MP fix and were disappointed with MP3, this single is worth checking out. It has too unreleased songs, both acoustic, one which is good and the other which is great. The song Memphis is a gem that I wish they did more of.

Addictive & Soothing.......2004-06-19

This single features two non-album tracks The Angel of the Forever Sleep & Memphis. Both of which feature acoustic guitar & songs are done in such a way that it builds & is a continuos progression and keeps you interested all the way through, a great musical journey if you like.

Angel of the Forever Sleep is very comforting & would make a great track to listen to at the end of the night, it will lead to a great sleep. It's very comforting, relaxing, peaceful, calming, restful, and gentle.

i.e.
Marcy Playground - The Angel of the Forever Sleep (Lyrics)

Hello, I have come from heaven
Down, All these things
My angel wings
Hold to them tight

Time for you to wake
Sleep, sleep, sleepy head

Right, to a place of mercy
Right, on these things
My angel wings
Hold to them tight

It's time to go, goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight

In the
Middle of the night
Float away
Lest the fears you hold
Hold fast to the earth
Forever to haunt

Hello

Hello, time to go goodnight
Goodnight

Memphis is slightly faster paced but not excessively and very much so in line & in tune with the consistency of the single overall. Woz has great vocal ability, quite rare for MP to have a cd single but well worth the purchase, you'll find yourself listening to this one a lot.

Excellent.

p.s. We all know Sex & Candy is Top-Notch.

This song surely... is a dream. Yeah........2004-02-27

"Sex And Candy" was the perfect post-grunge idea. A bit of that early 90s Seattle rock depth, mixed in with acoustics, mellowness, and dreamy vocals... it was a great idea executed greatly. The album it was off of (Marcy Playground's selftitled) was a well-mastered piece of acoustic rock, and its hit single was a fine representative.

"The Angel of the Forever Sleep" and "Memphis" have a similar sound, and it's nice to see a live reaction to the band. Marcy Playground certainly deserves a fanbase, if not a larger one.

It's a nice, dirty little song!!!.......2003-11-01

I can remember when this song first came out back in the summer of 1998. I liked it, even though I didn't understand what it was about at that time. *LOL* I love the part in the video when John Wozniak (the lead singer) shakes his head and blinx his eyes when he says "And I've had too much caffeine." That part of the song rox! Even now (despite the fact that Marcy Playground ended being a 1-hit wonder) I still feel so sorry for him cos he's so pale he loox like he's about to throw up or something. Anyway, if you loved the song, I highly recommend you give it a listen and then buy it.